MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05

Transcription

1 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05

2 02 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Angolan diplomacy aimed at enhancing Angola s international engagement The fourth annual meeting of Ambassadors of the Republic of Angola was held in Luanda from 9 to 11 January 2013 to review and assess the government s foreign policy strategy, examine the broad lines for the period of the programme of the government elected in August 2012, redefine positions on current challenges with a view to future action and strengthening Angola s competitive position internationally. The Government Programme for the period ascribes essentially the following challenges to the Ministry of External Relations: Strengthening Angola s position internationally and regionally; Strengthening and expanding bilateral and multilateral relations. The formal opening session was addressed by His Excellency Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Minister of External Relations, representing His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola. In his opening speech, His Excellency the Minister of External Dr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Angolan Minister of External Relations Relations described as priorities the establishment and strengthening of cooperation with all countries in the world, giving priority to partners in regional and sub-regional blocs to which Angola belongs (the Economic Community of Central African States, the Southern African Development Community, the Conference of the Great Lakes Region, the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the community of Director: Embaixador Miguel Neto Editor & Proofreading: António Nascimento Photography: Quim Mbaya Translation: Marga Holness WEZA 05 - Jan/Fev 2013 Graphic Design: Kassim Design Copies: 2000 exemplares Printer: Capital Printers Graphic Execution: Press Office of the Embassy press@angola.org.uk Website: Address: 22 Dorset Street London W1U 6QY United Kingdom Tel: Fax:

3 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N African Countries with Portuguese as their Official Language and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries), with the aim of guaranteeing the fulfilment of national interests while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States. The Minister stressed that the work of diplomats should be geared to active diplomacy, based on mutual respect and reciprocal advantage, urging ambassadors to promote the country s image abroad. With regard to Angolans abroad, he said ambassadors should work to organise the Angolan diaspora, developing and encouraging patriotism and solidarity. The participants debated bilateral and multilateral Angolan foreign policy issues, assessing the state of political, diplomatic and bilateral cooperation relations, and the constraints and prospects. They made an exhaustive analysis of many current international issues and others related to the internal organisation and running of the Ministry, namely: General views on the international situation: The situation in Africa and the Middle East and regional organisations The situation in Europe The situation in Asia and Oceania Angolan communities abroad Management of human resources, budget and assets Migration policy, institutional marketing and telecommunications In their analyses and discussion of the items on the agenda the participants took a historical view of political events in the world and noted that despite countless international institutions and global, continental and regional treaties to facilitate relations between countries in the world, there were still situations of international conflict and tension. The participants also considered that the shortcomings in the integration process in Africa and the advent of new conflicts in Africa were due to: Political instability and governance problems; Poor infrastructure and economic services; Widespread malnourishment; Greed for natural resources; Big power interference; Control of resources. The participants discussed the economic and financial crisis in the euro zone and its implications for relations of cooperation with Angola. They stressed the importance of Euro-Asia as a factor in geopoliti- cal equilibrium and the influence of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in cooperation with African countries. They attached special importance to the active role Angola plays in regional and international organisations in defending national interests and world peace, security and stability. The problem of Angolan communities in the Diaspora was discussed, emphasising the need to pay special attention to them within the general framework of assisting nationals. The participants praised the efforts made by His Excellency the President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, in conducting the country s foreign policy and stressed his active role in seeking solutions for different problems affecting Africa and the world

4 04 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, Angolan Republic President Address by His Excellency José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, at a ceremony for the presentation of New Year greetings by the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Angola

5 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N Here we are at the start of a New Year, which I hope will bring many successes to the personal and professional lives of everyone here. I thank you for the kind wishes and encouraging words the Dean expressed on his own behalf and that of all the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Angola. The statement that Angola is progressing and solving its problems wisely gives the world a true image of the evolution of our country. It is important that all members of the diplomatic corps continue to stress this idea, because this will help to correct the distorted view and some prejudices of certain sectors of the International Community that still not do believe in the renewal of Africa. In just over ten years of peace we have been able to promote national reconciliation and restore the hope of a better life for all Angolans. It is with a feeling of a duty fulfilled that we have once again made available to our entire people modern basic infrastructure to make the economic and social development of the country possible. The state, and especially its democratic institutions, is being consolidated, based on the principles of the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people, through which peaceful social relations and civic participation in the solution of national problems are promoted, even in a continent like ours, where conflicts and political crises are starting to reappear. We have never let ourselves be influenced by the Afro-pessimism propagated by a certain elite in the recent past. We have always believed in change and the renewal of Africa and in the way of conducting politics in this continent. It is no mere accident that Angola is in a process of effective democratisation that permits peace, stability, economic growth and social progress. We are a part of this world, which is characterised by global change and the progressive and positive alteration of the international political and economic order. With the advent of emerging economic powers the international climate is becoming increasingly multi-polar and underdeveloped countries have new opportunities in finding ways to achieve growth and progress. It is a historical circumstance that Africa must not fail to take advantage of. This is why we strongly condemn the return to armed violence and rebellion as means of solving internal contradictions or gaining State power. Governments legitimised by the free choice of citizens at the polls must not be deposed by rebel forces or anti-democratic processes. Today Africa has new droves of refugees living in inhuman conditions and this is unacceptable. This is why the situation prevailing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, the Central African Republic and Guinea Bissau is a reversal in the democratisation of our continent. DEAN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS YOURS EXCELLENCIES AMBASSADORS But the African continent is not the only scenario of such perverse events. The situation in the Middle East is also worsening day by day and it

6 06 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 is imperative that dialogue and the political concerting of views between the principal actors take place, seeking internal and international agreements leading to the preservation of peace and international security. It is necessary to enshrine and achieve the principle of the existence and recognition of two sovereign states of Israel and Palestine. They say that while there is life there is hope. This is why I am convinced that many crises will be overcome or attenuated. I also believe that the current tendency of growing Islamisation of states and the causes of the economic and financial crisis in Europe will be better controlled or overcome in this and following years. It is an ever more interdependent world that humanity wants, a balanced world in which concerting views, harmonising interests and seeking consensus will be the motivation and purpose of leaders who deal with international relations. I also request of all those present that we work together for that world of peace, security and understanding among nations. I wish you all A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

7 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N Partial view of Oxford Avenue, London City United Kingdom wants to support institutionalising of local government in Angola The United Kingdom wants to support the institutionalising of local government in the Republic of Angola scheduled for 2014, within the framework of the relations of friendship and cooperation in many areas between the two countries. This was stated by Mark Simmonds, Minister for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, during a recent visit to Luanda aimed at strengthening relations between Angola and the United Kingdom. He said the United Kingdom was prepared to help Angola to strengthen state institutions. This country is an important strategic partner owing not only to its potentials, but to its political role in Southern Africa and its recognition internationally. The British official said he considered that Angola had registered the most development and economic growth in the African continent over the past ten years and that, therefore, he had, taken advantage of his visit to Luanda to discuss issues related to investments and cooperation and trade with Angolan authorities and Manuel Augusto, Angolan State- Secretary of the Ministry of External Relations civil society. British authorities have recently shown themselves to be impressed by the Angolan government programmes to increase electric power and clean water supplies to the population Mark Simmonds, Minister for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office British authorities have recently shown themselves to be impressed by the Angolan government programmes to increase electric power and clean water supplies to the population.

8 08 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Angolan Consulate General inaugurated in London The Angolan community in London will, as from now, have the means to solve one of its problems. This is because of the recent opening of an Angolan Consulate General in London, the United Kingdom capital, in the presence of Angolan and foreign diplomats, members of the community and Angolan cultural and artistic figures. The ribbon was cut and the plaque unveiled by the Angolan Ambassador to Britain, Miguel Gaspar Fernandes Neto, representing Minister of External Relations Georges Rebelo Chikoti. The Angolan Consulate General, which is in Charing Cross in central London, will provide services that had been an excessive burden on the Angolan Embassy. In his speech the head of the Angolan diplomatic mission in London spoke of the importance of the new Consulate General and the strengthening of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Angola. He said the priorities of the consular programme included assisting the work of the Embassy and other matters related to the community, promoting trade and investment and further strengthening relations between the two countries. Carlos Celestino e Silva, the Angolan Consul General in London, in turn described the new Consulate General as an important means of finding pragmatic solutions to many of the technical and administrative issues affecting Angolans, Britons and people of other nationalities living in this country. According to unofficial figures, there are more than 25,000 Angolans in the United Kingdom, forming what is thought to be the second biggest community in Europe after Portugal Ambassador Miguel G. Fernandes Neto, when unveiled the inaugural plaque of the new Consulate General of Angola in London

9 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N He said the priorities of the consular programme included assisting the work of the Embassy and other matters related to the community, promoting trade and investment and further strengthening relations between the two countries. Diplomats of the Embassy of Angola to the United Kingdom and from the Angolan Consulate Mission in London Interior partial view of the balcony of the new Angolan General Consulate in London

10 10 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Ambassador Miguel Neto calls on Angolans to return home Speaking in Manchester recently, Miguel Gaspar Fernandes Neto, Angola s Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, called on all Angolans living in Britain to return to Angola voluntarily in order to contribute to national reconstruction and development. The head of Angola s diplomatic mission in London was speaking to young Angolans living in the centre, north and northeast of the country (Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and Stoke-on-Trent) who have completed their studies in various fields but are working in areas unrelated to their qualifications. Ambassador Miguel Neto also had words of encouragement for community leaders, while asking them to work more closely with the diplomatic and consular mission and be more involved with members of their associations. The meeting was also an occasion for the Angolan Ambassador to talk about the economic growth taking place in Angola as well as business opportunities and the government s strategy for achieving social wellbeing. During the meeting a documentary was screened showing current economic development in Angola. It was produced by the local social media Radio-Benguela Mais and Pitanga TV run by former journalists in the Angolan media now living in the United Kingdom

11 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N Angola s armed struggle for national liberation started 52 years ago The 52nd anniversary of the start of the armed struggle for national liberation was celebrated on 4 February. The date is an unforgettable landmark in the history of resistance to the Portuguese colonial-fascist regime to achieve Angola s national independence. That action also reflected the wishes of the people and the need to move on to methods of struggle to counter the rigidity of the colonial administration. This is why 4 February 1961 is regarded as an important landmark in the African struggle against colonialism in a tradition of resistance to occupation that goes back to the people of Kassanje, Ndongo and the Central Highlands. The celebrations in the United Kingdom took place in Manchester, with cultural and recreational activities. Special mention should be made of a meeting with community leaders and a talk to stress the importance of 4 February to the new generation. Minister Counsellor Eduardo Neto Sangueve, representing His Excellency Ambassador Miguel Neto, spoke of the importance of the date, encouraging the local Angolan community to engage actively in all aspects of work aimed at consolidating peace, national reconciliation and rebuilding the country. The meeting was also an opportunity for the diplomat to appeal to the community to regularise their documents, documents which are one of their basic rights, so as to avoid unnecessary problems Eduardo Neto Sangueve, Minister-Consellour

12 12 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 New Angolan National Assembly to be built Angola s new National Assembly is being built in the Kinanga neighbourhood, municipality of Samba, Luanda. Comprising four buildings on six hectares of land, it is scheduled to be completed in four years time. The foundation stone of the complex, to include the parliament and support structures, has already been laid by the President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos. According to the presentation made by the Angolan government to the Office of Special Works (GOE), the four buildings will be built in neo-classic style. The parliament will function in the first building, to be built on an area of 6,200 square metres. The second building, containing offices, will be the largest one, covering 33,000 square metres. The third building will be for parking cars, with 485 places in an area of 21,000 square metres and, finally, the fourth, covering 2,000 square metres, will house services, equipment and security. The first steps of the project were taken in 1998 and the tender was awarded to the Teixeira Duarte construction company in February Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, president of the National Assembly, has said that the new buildings will reflect the importance of the parliament and will therefore be a source of pride for all Angolans Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, President of the Angolan National Assembly

13 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N st Angolan Recruitment Forum in London Elite Careers has held the first forum in the United Kingdom for the recruitment of Angolans. It was held in the British capital and attended by a very large number of Angolans living in this country. Elite Careers carried out 314 interviews and received about 50 candidacies to be meticulously assessed following careful examination by interested companies. Members of the Angolan community in London expressed their satisfaction at the Elite Careers initiative, since it will help to find positions for Angolans who have completed their education but are meanwhile doing jobs that have nothing to do with their qualifications. Elite Careers is a company specialised in locating human resources for multinational companies. One of its aims is to support the continuing placement of Angolans on the national labour market, thus contributing to the reconstruction of the country Miguel Vieira, Elite Carrers General Manager Angolan graduated living in London bet for the contribution and development of Angola

14 14 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Violeta Parente elected Miss Angola United Kingdom The seventh Miss Angola United Kingdom contest recently held in London elected Violeta Parente, regarded as the most beautiful Angolan woman in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Ambassador Miguel Neto congratulates Miss Angola United Kingdom 2012/2013 The beauty queen was crowned before an audience of about 300 people, among them, notably, Miguel Gaspar Fernandes Neto, Angola s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Afonso Van-Dúnem Mbinda, a MP in the National Assembly and the MPLA Political Bureau s Secretary for International Relations. Also present at the gala were Armando Cadete, Angola s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. Carlos Celestino e Silva, Angola s Consul General in London, diplomats from the Embassy, representatives of Angola Airlines and Sonangol, the state oil company, and Samaia Tchapesseka, the Angolan Miss Black Africa UK A student of accountancy and administration, Violeta Parente is 21 years old. The jury deemed she made a difference owing to her intellectual ability, elegance and natural beauty. She received the crown from Rossana Silva, Miss Angola United Kingdom in The jury elected Carla Semedo first lady in waiting and Daniela Gonçalves second lady in waiting, while young Deyse Miguel was given the title Miss Sympathy.

15 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N The choice of the winners was made by a jury presided over by the Angolan Paulo Correia, which included Carla Baptista, Miss Angola Portugal 2004, and a representative of the Portuguese Embassy in London. Certified by the Miss Angola Committee in Luanda, the seventh Miss Angola United Kingdom contest was organised by Mukanus Productions with support from the Angolan Embassy in London and institutions like Angola Airlines and Sonangol. The gala was enhanced by the Angolan musicians Don Kikas, Nya Lou and the Lock Mira duo Ambassador Miguel Neto with Afonso Van- Dúnem Mbinda, MPLA Political Bureau s Secretary for International Relations Angolan Ambassador to Equatorial Guine, Armando Cadete, with Diplomats of the Mission Violeta Parente receive the crown from Rossana Silva, Miss Angola United Kingdom in 2011

16 16 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Angolan culture in the United Kingdom The name of the Republic of Angola is increasingly referred to in British society because of the professional and cultural activity taking place in the Angolan community in the United Kingdom. Today the colours of Angola s national flag can be seen in such areas as the legal profession, culture, sport, social networks and other recreational sites in this country, owing to the dynamism and commitment shown by Angolans here. New talents emerging on the local scene, like musicians, sports personalities, lawyers, models and gastronomes are little by little establishing themselves, helping to raise the colours of Angola s national flag on high. Most of them are educated people who, in many cases, are not working on their own professions but have still done their best to help to enhance the image of Angola. The Angolan Embassy in the United Kingdom has supported some initiatives, while encouraging those who want to contribute to the reconstruction and development under way in Angola to return to the country. There are an estimated 25,000 Angolans living in the United Kingdom, mainly in cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle Dra. Ricardina Pederneira, Solicitors and Commissioners for Oaths

17 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N Angolan musician and composer, Hélder Tavares Derito and his band Journalist Nuno Teixeira of Radio-Benguela Mais, living in Sheffield Angolan singer and composer, Vânia Lourenço Nya Lou, living in London

18 18 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05 Angola out of the Cup of Nations 2013 in South Africa Angola is out of the African Cup of Nations in Football being held in South Africa. The Palancas Negras qualified for the African Cup of Nations, CAN 2013, when they beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in a match held at 11 November Stadium in Luanda. The goals of the Palancas Negras were scored by Manucho Gonçalves at 4th and 6th minutes both during the first time of the game. With this effort Angola joined Cape Verde, other PALOP s country that eliminated Cameroon, which also qualified for the African Cup of Nations. This is the seventh time that Angola takes part in the CAN finals. Angola s best results were when it reached the quarter finals in Ghana in 2008 and when it organised the tournament in Zambia currently holds the trophy African Cup of Nations groups A South Africa, Angola, Cape Verde and Morocco B Ghana, Mali, Niger and DR Congo C Zambia, Nigeria, Burkina Fasso and Ethiopia D Côte d Ivoire, Tunisia, Algeria and Togo Angola National Team Zambia National Team Tunisia National Team Algeria National Team Cape Verde National Team

19 MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N RDC National Team Ivory Coast National Team Ethiopia National Team Ghana National Team Mali National Team Morocco National Team Nigeria National Team Burquina Faso National Team Togo National Team South Africa National Team

20 Comunidade MAGAZINE OF THE EMBASSY OF ANGOLA N. 05